My 3 Week School Experience At C1 Driving Academy In Indianapolis, IN For Swift Transportation

Tazzy, I see some form of your recent posts that you are not going to continue with Swift. I think you are making a mistake, and let me explain why.

Swift has something invested in you now - they really want to see you succeed. They have got a great program to give you all the tools you need to make the difficult adjustment to the new lifestyle before you. They've also got a ton of options for you to choose from as far as freight.

Any where else you go to will not be as willing to work with you if you prove to have some difficulties along the way. Lets say you have a minor fender bender and cause some damage to another vehicle (a scenario that happens way too often for new rookie truck drivers). Who ever you are with now is more than likely just going to cut their losses and send you back home, where you will discover that as a rookie driver who just had an accident, with out yet even having a years worth of experience, you will find it very difficult to land another trucking job. Whereas I have heard tales of Swift drivers getting sometimes three different chances at proving themselves after an accident. They have an investment in you - that makes you worth hanging onto so that hopefully they may see some return on that investment in a year or two. Paschall, or whomever you end up with has no financial commitment to you and will not think twice about letting you go if there are some bumps in the road for you.

I'm posting this not so much to get on to you, but rather I want others to realize what is at stake here. I know you think you have your reasons, and they seem reasonable and rational to you, but the problem is that you don't really know what might happen during your first year. Swift, or any other company who sponsored you for training is going to be more willing to help you get established and will work hard toward that end of helping you to become a professional driver.

Thanks Old School, I do value your opinion as I have read many post you have put here.

I am just not feeling real comfortable with Swift, how they have handled any of this since the start of training at the CDL school all the way up til now. I was supposed to start orientation with them this coming Monday, I have all the paperwork completed that they have asked me to complete and have been waiting 2 days now for a return call about transportation to orientation. I'm not a whiner so I am not going to go into everything that has gone down, but it hasn't left a good taste in my mouth. Swift and I was supposed to be entering into a partnership, but it sure doesn't feel like any I have ever entered into before.

I understand what your saying about the investment vs. the non investment that involves PTL, but I have to put my life in the hands of God and pray that I am making the correct decision for me.

Thanks again, and I'll be reading your post as I come across them as you seem very knowledgeable about the industry and god knows I can use all the help I can get.

I want to place my vote for what Old School said. I agree vehemently. I've watched countless new drivers over the years fall into this same trap. They get started at one company, instantly get "grass is greener" syndrome, change companies, get in a small wreck, get fired, and then have one heck of a time finding work again.

I mean, how does that look on your resume? You got your training through a company, immediately broke the contract you signed with them, and then got fired for getting in a wreck with your second company right after that.

Who the heck is going to hire that person? Either you'll leave as soon as you find another 'grass is greener' scenario or you'll wreck their truck too. Yeah, no thanks. They'll pass on that.

Like Old School said, Swift now has a vested interest in your success. They'll recoup their investment by making sure you become a safe, productive driver for them over a long period of time. They're going to support you. They're going to back you through all of the bumps in the road that they know is coming for new drivers. They've helped new drivers get their career off the ground for years and years.

It might seem as simple as, "Hey, I want to make all the money I can make." Well of course you do. We all do. But you have your whole life to make as much money as possible, assuming you survive your first year in the industry that is. That should be your primary concern and sticking with the company you have a contract with is the safest way to go.

I'm not a whiner so I am not going to go into everything that has gone down, but it hasn't left a good taste in my mouth. Swift and I was supposed to be entering into a partnership, but it sure doesn't feel like any I have ever entered into before.

You think you have it bad? omg. You should be in charge of new drivers! Do you have any idea what a nightmare it is to hand-hold a rookie through training? The wrecked trucks, the homesickness, the utter lack of knowledge about the industry, the unrealistic expectations, the utter lack of driving skills. Talk about a nightmare! You have no idea how companies like Swift are bending over backward to get you guys from the ground floor to where you're finally able to turn enough miles solo to help the company turn a profit.

So before you think you're being tolerant of these companies you should think about what they're doing for you. Swift has been in business since 1966. They're great at what they do. You barely know how many wheels are on an 18 wheeler at this point but Swift isn't living up to your expectations? Seems kinda odd, doesn't it. At least it should.

I understand what your saying about the investment vs. the non investment that involves PTL, but I have to put my life in the hands of God and pray that I am making the correct decision for me.

God has let a lot of people break contracts, get in wrecks, and get fired. His job isn't to make sure you can make all the selfish or poor decisions you would like and still come out smelling like roses. He's not afraid of letting someone learn a hard lesson if they need to.

Tazzy,

thanks for the insight on the C1 training. The way I read your first post you basically went through the C1 three week training offered by Swift. The contract said if you continue with Swift they will deduct the cost of the school out of your pay over a period of time and eventually will even pay you back for the training if you stay with them?

Now that you went through the training you have a little bit better idea about this company called Swift and you have a bad taste in your mouth about them and wish to move on to another company.

They didn't pay you while you were going through training.

Sounds like it is just like you described. A loan which you are going to pay back.

It looks to me like Swift will not be out anything if you move on so if you have that gut feeling then you should do what YOU think is right. Don't be pressured by anyone to continue on with them. They are not out anything. And if the contract did not specifically say that you had to drive for them for a period of time, then if I was you I would pay for the school, say thank you, and move right on down the road.

You sound like a good guy and I wish you luck on whatever you decide.

It looks to me like Swift will not be out anything if you move on so if you have that gut feeling then you should do what YOU think is right. Don't be pressured by anyone to continue on with them. They are not out anything.

Nobody is saying Swift will be out anything. He signed a contract and he intends to pay them the tuition he'll owe. So Swift will get their money. In fact, it's probably better for Swift that he pays the cash and moves on because that way they got their money back risk-free. They didn't even have to put a rookie in a truck and keep their fingers crossed.

We're not telling him to stick with Swift for the good of the company. We're saying he'll be in a safer place as a rookie driver because Swift has already invested the time and money into him. As long as he stays and shows promise that he'll turn out to be a safe, productive, driver then Swift will stand by him. They'll allow him to make some mistakes and learn his trade so they can recoup their investment in him.

But if he moves on to another company, they have no vested interest in him. If he gets in a little fender bender 3 or 4 weeks after he gets started with them they'll likely let him go. Then what? Who is going to want someone who left one company immediately and then got fired from the next immediately after that? A rookie is a high risk proposition to begin with. A rookie who has proven he's willing to jump ship at the drop of a hat and has already gotten in a wreck and been fired? Who is gonna take that level of proven risk?

That's our position on it. He's free to leave Swift and we're behind him no matter what he does. But it's our job to let him know what type of risk he's taking by jumping ship. It's a matter of short term gains versus long term gains. Personally I've always focused on doing what makes sense for me 3-5 years from now. I'm not interested in taking big risks on little short term gains. Especially right out of the gate with a brand new career. I'm gonna take the safest, surest path for a while until I build a foundation under me. Then I'll shoot for the most money I can make.

It looks to me like Swift will not be out anything if you move on so if you have that gut feeling then you should do what YOU think is right. Don't be pressured by anyone to continue on with them. They are not out anything.

Nobody is saying Swift will be out anything. He signed a contract and he intends to pay them the tuition he'll owe. So Swift will get their money. In fact, it's probably better for Swift that he pays the cash and moves on because that way they got their money back risk-free. They didn't even have to put a rookie in a truck and keep their fingers crossed.

We're not telling him to stick with Swift for the good of the company. We're saying he'll be in a safer place as a rookie driver because Swift has already invested the time and money into him. As long as he stays and shows promise that he'll turn out to be a safe, productive, driver then Swift will stand by him. They'll allow him to make some mistakes and learn his trade so they can recoup their investment in him.

But if he moves on to another company, they have no vested interest in him. If he gets in a little fender bender 3 or 4 weeks after he gets started with them they'll likely let him go. Then what? Who is going to want someone who left one company immediately and then got fired from the next immediately after that? A rookie is a high risk proposition to begin with. A rookie who has proven he's willing to jump ship at the drop of a hat and has already gotten in a wreck and been fired? Who is gonna take that level of proven risk?

That's our position on it. He's free to leave Swift and we're behind him no matter what he does. But it's our job to let him know what type of risk he's taking by jumping ship. It's a matter of short term gains versus long term gains. Personally I've always focused on doing what makes sense for me 3-5 years from now. I'm not interested in taking big risks on little short term gains. Especially right out of the gate with a brand new career. I'm gonna take the safest, surest path for a while until I build a foundation under me. Then I'll shoot for the most money I can make.

Ok that makes some since. Maybe if you would have worded like that the first time it would have come across better. Seemed like you were kinda attacking him and talking down to him a little in your first response.

I see where your coming from better now, thanks.

So with that reasoning though, you seem to be saying that paying for a private school yourself is a bad idea because as an "free agent" you won't have a safety net if you have an accident. I thought most agreed its better to put yourself through school and then hire on with a company with no contract at all.

Just don't hit anything Tazzy and you will be good to go😉

So with that reasoning though, you seem to be saying that paying for a private school yourself is a bad idea because as an "free agent" you won't have a safety net if you have an accident. I thought most agreed its better to put yourself through school and then hire on with a company with no contract at all.

Larry B., I don't think I would refer to it as a "safety net." There are plenty of folks who don't make it through Company-Sponsored Training . I don't necessarily agree with your assumption that "most agreed it's better to put yourself through school."

I paid for my training through a truck driving school, but I all the time encourage folks to go through the Company-Sponsored Training programs. I had a really hard time landing my first trucking job, so just because you've got ample funds to go that route doesn't make one better than the other.

I was merely wanting to point out for others like yourself who will read this, that Tazzy is kind of putting himself into a more vulnerable position by taking the route he has chosen. It is tough, really tough getting this whole career off to a good start, and he could have served himself better by sticking to what he originally agreed to. For what ever reasons, he didn't like the taste Swift left in his mouth (his words), but now what in the world is he going to do when he doesn't like the taste he gets at Paschall? It is highly likely that he will find himself in that position.

There are so many unknown pitfalls that rookies can get themselves into without realizing it due to their false expectations. I wish Tazzy the very best, but I think his approach is just a little short-sighted. I stated earlier in this thread that he seemed like a great candidate, and I still think that way, but he has made some questionable decisions right off the bat.

Just don't hit anything Tazzy and you will be good to go

Excellent advice for any and all who are attempting to make it in this business as a newbie!

You think you have it bad? omg.

Hi Brett, ty for the site, it's tremendous and I love the input from others.

But let's clear something up. I am not breaking any contract. My contract states that Swift financed my schooling. In no way does it say I am obligated to drive for them for any period of time, I am only obligated to pay back the loan...........

1st: I read the forums and understood if I paid for the schooling myself it would be much harder for me to land a job vs. going through a carrier.

2nd: I appreciate the fact that they did this for me. I only went through Swift to get financed for the schooling because it cost $3900 through them, versus me paying $5700 if I paid for it myself. Now I'm not sure how your math is, but to me that's a $1800 savings off the top. When I decided to go through Swift, I asked them beforehand whether I would be obligated to drive for them. My answer I received was "no". I was only obligated to pay back the loan. As a businessman who has owned his own successful business, I'd say that was a wise decision financially.

Don't make this sound as if I entered into a contract that I don't intend to fulfill. That is not the case!! I could've paid for the schooling myself, I'm retired from the USMC, 26 years and have been very successful running my own business for the last 7 years. I want something different at this point in life. I intend to retire in 10 years and my wife in 10 as well (she is a nurse), meanwhile I will pay off my 37' RV I purchased a few years back. I will be completely out of debt at that point and hopefully will have some more money banked and live a happy retired life and still traveling North America.

Maybe it's the bad rap that trucker's get, I'm not sure. But I am not willing to believe that everybody who decides to become a professional driver does it for the money. I may be wrong, but it seems that is what you are thinking, and if so, maybe you should not assume that..............

I really do appreciate the input, but I think you may be generalizing a population of drivers who are getting into the profession for different reasons. You are judging my decisions without knowing anything about me and I know your the moderator of this site, but what gives you the right to judge anybody for the decisions they make without knowing anything about their lives and what they want out of their lives?

Please answer that, as I am really interested in why you think you should judge someone on a decision they made when you know nothing about their lives.

You are judging my decisions without knowing anything about me and I know your the moderator of this site, but what gives you the right to judge anybody for the decisions they make without knowing anything about their lives and what they want out of their lives?

I don't need to know you. I know you want to become a truck driver and I know this industry. I've been in it almost a quarter of a century and I know how it works. I'm trying to advise you on the safest way to get your career started in this industry so you don't become another statistic.

As a businessman who has owned his own successful business, I'd say that was a wise decision financially.

As a businessman who currently owns and operates his own successful business and as someone with 22 years in the trucking industry I think there are things more important than getting a little cheaper financing when you're making career decisions. I'm looking at the big picture and I'm thinking long term. You're trying to save a buck right now. That's two different approaches.

I have read the contract thoroughly. It only states that this is a loan, the weekly payment and where to mail the payment to if direct deposit isn't chosen as the payment method. What it doesn't say is that I am contracted to drive for Swift for any period of time, unless I want to be reimbursed for the cost of tuition, which would require 3 years, 1 year paying them $75.00/week for the cost of tuition (which is the loan amount) and then two years of them reimbursing me $37.50/week to pay for the schooling. That's quite a long commitment for a $3900 loan............ With that being said, I have every intention on paying the loan back whether Swift is where I end up or if I end up with someone else.

Hey Tazzy, you still out there? I'm just wondering this morning because we're having another conversation where a driver was sent home by Swift on the second day for being under contract with CRST. It reminded me of Tazzy here who signed a contract with Swift and then jumped ship to go with PTL. I wanted to see if Swift and PTL are simply going to go with it and let Tazzy do his thing but he stopped updating us after day one on his other conversation.

Tazzy! Are you out there? Give us an update.